Insert ring for a pallet box and pallet box

ABSTRACT

An insert ring for a pallet box. An insert ring for a pallet box, in particular a wire mesh box, with four side walls, wherein at least one side wall has holding means for a flexible compartment arrangement. At least two opposite side walls are designed as plastics surface parts produced in a twinsheet process, and that the two remaining side walls are formed at least in sections by dimensionally stable transverse struts which are connected to the plastics surface parts.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of German Application No. 20 2011 003 226.4, filed Feb. 22, 2011 and German Application No. 20 2011 102 988.7, filed Jul. 7, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an insert ring for a pallet box, in particular a wire mesh box, with four side walls, wherein at least one side wall has holding means for a flexible compartment arrangement, and to a pallet box with an insert ring of this type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pallet box is known from WO 97/31830 A1. The pallet box is provided for transporting bought-in car parts and has a pallet base which can be handled by a forklift truck. A wall ring which can be folded up is placed on the pallet base. A cover which closes the interior of the wall ring is placed onto the wall ring. The wall ring has four planar side walls which are foldable via edge hinges. On the inside of two opposite side walls there are holding rails to which a flexible compartment arrangement for receiving corresponding bought-in car parts is fastened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide an insert ring and a pallet box of the type mentioned at the beginning, which are produced in a simple manner and have a stable construction.

This object is achieved in that at least two opposite sidewalls are designed as plastics surface parts produced in a twinsheet process, and in that the two remaining side walls are formed at least in sections by dimensionally stable transverse struts which are connected to the plastics surface parts. Owing to the fact that the plastics surface parts are produced in a twinsheet process, the plastics surface parts are of double-walled configuration, consisting of an inner shell and an outer shell, with hollow chambers or hollow spaces being formed between the inner shell and the outer shell of the plastics surface part. The terms “on the inside” and “on the outside” are based on the erected functional position of the insert ring, wherein “on the inside” defines that side of the insert ring which faces inward, and “on the outside” defines that side of the insert ring which faces outward. The solution according to the invention is suitable in a particularly advantageous manner for insert rings, the sizes of which are matched to standardized wire mesh boxes for storing and transporting bought-in parts for the car industry.

In an advantageous manner, the insert rings are provided to be inserted into a corresponding wire mesh box or comparable pallet box made of a plastics material. In both cases, in the erected functional position, the side walls of the insert ring bear directly against corresponding inner walls of the wire mesh box or of the pallet box. As an alternative, it is provided according to the invention to design the insert rings directly as wall rings for corresponding pallet boxes. In this case, the lower side of a corresponding insert ring is placed onto a corresponding pallet base. An upper side of the insert ring is closed by a cover which can be placed thereon.

The cover is designed relative to the pallet base in such a manner that it can also be placed directly onto the pallet base. The production of the plastics surface parts in a twinsheet process means that two sheets of thermoplastic are provided and placed into a mold in which the two-shell surface part is produced isochronously by thermoforming the two plastics sheets and corresponding bonding of the plastics sheets at the edge region thereof and at intermediate portions to each other. The transverse struts form at least partial regions of the side walls of the insert ring and are preferably configured as metallic hollow profiles, in particular from a steel alloy.

In a refinement of the invention, the plastics surface parts are provided with bending regions running edgeways, in order to enable the insert ring to be folded up and unfolded. The bending regions running edgeways are preferably formed by film hinges which are formed integrally with the plastics surface parts.

In a further refinement of the invention, at least one of the plastics surface parts is provided with a folding portion which is connected to the plastics surface part by means of a film hinge running transversely. The folding portion is connected to the plastics surface part only in the region of the film hinge. It is possible by means of the folding portion to obtain access to the interior of the insert ring. The film hinge is preferably arranged in such a manner that, in the folded-over state of the folding portion, the associated side wall portion of the plastics surface part is additionally stiffened and reinforced. In the folded-upward state, the folding portion closes the access opening to the interior of the insert ring. A corresponding item being transported, in particular a bought-in car part, can be inserted or removed via the access opening.

In a further refinement of the invention, a bending region running edgeways is configured in such a manner that, when the folding portion is folded downward, bendability of the bending region is blocked. As a result, the folding portion has a dual function. In addition to opening up an opening in the side wall, it also serves to stabilize the bending region and therefore the entire side wall. Opposite bending regions and opposite folding portions are preferably formed identically according to this embodiment.

In a further refinement of the invention, latching means which can be operated and can be released without a tool are provided, the latching means securing the bending regions in the erected functional position of the insert ring. Said latching means are provided in particular on the bending regions forming the corner regions of the insert ring and increase the stability of the insert ring.

In a further refinement of the invention, the transverse struts are embedded in groove-like recesses in wall portions of the plastics surface parts and are fixed by means of fastening elements. The transverse struts thus do not protrude beyond a corresponding surface contour of the plastics surface parts. The refinement permits a space-saving arrangement of the transverse struts. The embedding of the transverse struts also ensures that the wall portions of the plastics surface parts are stiffened.

In a further refinement of the invention, the transverse struts are provided with the holding means for the flexible compartment arrangement. This avoids additional holding or support rails for the flexible compartment arrangement. The transverse struts are preferably provided with inwardly directed longitudinal grooves in which corresponding sliding elements, to which the flexible compartment arrangement is connected, can be displaced. The grooves in the transverse struts are preferably designed in the manner of curtain rails. The sliding elements for holding the flexible compartment arrangement are also configured in the manner of a curtain hanging.

In a further refinement of the invention, the bending regions running edgeways at corner regions of the insert ring each have two bending lines which run spaced apart in parallel and in between bound a supporting back which, in the folded-up state of the insert ring, defines a clearance between corresponding wall portions of the plastics surface parts. This ensures that, even in the folded-up state of the insert ring, there is sufficient space in order to receive the flexible compartment arrangement between corresponding wall portions of the plastics surface parts. This ensures that the flexible compartment arrangement does not have to be removed from the transverse struts before the insert ring is collapsed or folded up. On the contrary, the compartment arrangement can remain connected to the side walls, in particular to the transverse struts, even in the folded-up state of the insert ring.

In a further refinement of the invention, the bending lines are formed by film hinges which are flanked on the inside by mitered edge surfaces of the plastics surface parts, wherein in particular miter angles of 45° are provided. In the folded-up state, the mitered edge surfaces are supported against each other, as a result of which the corresponding wall portions of the plastics surface parts are oriented at right angles relative to each other and relative to the supporting bridges in the folded-up state.

The insert ring according to the invention can be inserted in a particularly advantageous manner into a pallet box, in particular into a wire mesh box composed of steel. In this case, the insert ring is inserted from above, i.e. from the open side of the pallet box, until the lower edge thereof stands on the pallet base. The side walls of the insert ring are matched in height and width thereof to the side walls of the pallet box in such a manner that, in the erected functional state of the insert ring, the side walls bear in a substantially planar manner against the inner walls of the pallet box. The pallet box has the dimensions of a standardized wire mesh box which has a width of 835 mm, length of 1240 mm and height of 970 mm. The pallet box is a loading aid for storage, transport and conveying technology. The lower side of the base of each pallet box has four feet which have to enable engagement of a forklift truck from all four sides.

According to the invention, the insert ring is dimensioned for a pallet box having the standard dimensions of a wire mesh box in such a manner that said insert ring can be inserted into the pallet box and is arranged upright in a precisely fitting manner in an inner region of the pallet box. The pallet box can be composed of plastic or of steel mesh and preferably has the standard dimensions of a Euro wire mesh box, which dimensions are used in particular in the automotive supplier sector. The dimensioning of the insert ring in the erected functional state thereof in such a manner that said insert ring is arranged upright in a precisely fitting manner in the inner region of the pallet box makes it possible to position the insert ring in the pallet box without additional fastening means. In the erected functional state, the insert ring completely fills the inner region of the pallet box, and therefore the outer walls of said insert ring are arranged in a manner substantially free from play and directly adjacent to the inner walls of the pallet box. This makes it possible to insert and remove the insert ring particularly simply. In addition, in the empty state, the pallet box and the insert ring can be handled independently of each other. A pallet box within the context of the invention also includes wood structures having corresponding standard dimensions and combined wood and steel mesh structures or else combined wood and plastics structures.

In a refinement of the pallet box according to the invention, the insert ring is of foldable design and, in the folded-up state, is dimensioned in such a manner that the insert ring is accommodated upright or horizontally in the pallet box. A plurality of insert rings can preferably be transported in the folded-up state in the pallet box.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and from the description below of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows perspectively an embodiment of an insert ring according to the invention with an integrated, flexible compartment arrangement,

FIG. 2 shows the insert ring according to FIG. 1, rotated through 90° and without the compartment arrangement,

FIG. 3 shows, in an enlarged, perspective illustration, the insert ring according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the folded-up state,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the insert ring according to FIG. 3 in the folded-up state,

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the insert ring according to FIG. 1 with the compartment arrangement,

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the insert ring according to FIG. 2 without the compartment arrangement,

FIG. 7 shows, in a perspective illustration, a plastics surface part for the insert ring according to FIGS. 1 to 6,

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a pallet box according to the invention with an inserted insert ring in the erected functional state thereof,

FIG. 9 shows the pallet box according to FIG. 8 with an insert ring inserted upright in the folded-up state thereof,

FIG. 10 shows the pallet box according to FIG. 9 with the insert ring partially taken out,

FIG. 11 shows the pallet box according to FIGS. 9 and 10 with the insert ring completely taken out, and

FIG. 12 shows the pallet box according to FIGS. 8 to 11 with a plurality of folded-up insert rings accommodated upright in the pallet box, according to FIGS. 1 to 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An insert ring 1 for a pallet box is composed, according to FIGS. 1 to 7, of two plastics surface parts 3 and a plurality of transverse struts 4, as will be described in more detail below. The insert ring 1 has a rectangular area and forms a total of four side walls A, B, C, D. A flexible compartment arrangement 2 constructed from a plurality of loops of a textile sheet-like web is provided within the four side walls A to D in the insert ring 1. The loops form pockets in the manner of pleats and are each arranged parallel next to one another. The flexible compartment arrangement 2 can be fastened or hung on the inner sides of the insert ring 1 with the aid of clamping strands or by means of hooks or eyes mounted on the compartment arrangement 2, and is thus held on at least two opposite side walls C, D of the insert ring 1.

The two mutually opposite plastics surface parts 3 are designed identically to each other. Each plastics surface part 3 is produced in double-walled form in a twinsheet construction. In this case, each of the two plastics surface parts 3 has an inner shell facing the center of the insert ring 1 and an outwardly directed outer shell, which shells are produced in a basically known manner by joint thermoforming in a twinsheet process with the formation of hollow spaces and connecting seams to the respective plastics surface part 3.

The configuration of the plastics surface part can readily be seen with reference to FIG. 7. The opposite plastics surface part 3 of the insert ring 1 is of identical design. Each plastics surface part 3 has a side wall portion 5 which is configured so as to be foldably divided by a bending line 6 running edgeways. The side wall portion 5 is provided in the region of the upper half thereof with a rectangular cutout which can be partially closed by a folding portion 7. The folding portion 7 is connected integrally to the plastics surface part 3 and is connected to the side wall portion 5 in the region of a film hinge S running transversely relative to the vertical axis of the plastics surface part 3. The folding portion 7 also has a bending line 6 a aligned coaxially with the bending line 6. The bending line 6 a and the bending line 6 are each formed by an integrally formed film hinge which is aligned with the outer shell of the plastics surface part 3. Starting from the inner shell, the side wall portion 5 and the folding portion 7 have mitered edge surfaces (not denoted specifically) which flank the bending line 6, 6 a at an angular orientation of 45° on both sides. The film hinge S, with which the folding portion 7 is held on the side wall portion 5, is provided level with the inner shell of the plastics surface part 3. The opposite edge sides of the side wall portion 5 are adjoined in each case by a bending line 10 which runs edgeways over the entire height of the side wall portion 5 and is designed as a film hinge provided level with the outer shell. From the inner shell, each of the two bending lines 10 on opposite sides of the side wall portion 5 is flanked by mitered edge surfaces which are identical to the mitered edge surfaces of the bending line 6.

Each bending line 10 is outwardly adjoined by a narrow supporting back 11 which extends over the entire height of the plastics surface part 3 and is outwardly bounded by a further bending line 9. In the erected functional position of the insert ring 1, the bending line 9 in each case forms a corner of the insert ring 1. The bending line 9 is also formed by a film hinge which is positioned in the region of the outer shell, continues over the entire height of the plastics surface part 3 and is oriented parallel to the bending lines 10, 6. From the inner shell, the film hinge 9 is flanked by mitered edge surfaces oriented at a 45° angle. The opposite outer wall portions of the plastics surface part 3 are formed by holding portions 8 which are wider than the supporting bridges 11 and form wall portions extending over the entire height of the plastics surface part 3. Laterally to the outside, each holding portion 8 has a mitered edge surface oriented at an angle of 45°. The holding portions 8 are provided with transverse grooves 14 which are molded integrally therein and are distributed over the height of the holding portions 8. The exemplary embodiment illustrated provides a total of six transverse grooves which are designed for receiving dimensionally stable transverse struts 4. On the inside of the supporting back 11, each transverse groove 14 is assigned an end recess 15 which is arranged at the same height, said end recess receiving corresponding front ends of the dimensionally stable transverse struts 14 in the rectangularly constructed state of the insert ring.

Owing to the fact that a transversely running film hinge S of the folding portion 7 is provided in the region of the inner shell of the plastics surface part 3, the folding portion 7 can be pivoted inward through 180°, as a result of which the bending line 6 a thereof is oriented in the opposite direction to the bending line 6 of the associated side wall portion 5 (FIGS. 2, 5, 6). As a result, in the state folded inward, the folding portion 7 forms a reinforcement and stiffening for the side wall portion 5.

Six dimensionally stable transverse struts 4 are inserted in each case into the transverse grooves of the two opposite plastics surface parts 3 on opposite sides of the insert ring 1, said transverse struts being designed in the exemplary embodiment illustrated as metallic hollow profiles having a square cross section. The transverse struts are preferably produced from steel. However, it is also possible to produce the transverse struts 4 from a light metal, in particular an aluminum alloy, or from a composite fiber material. The two opposite plastics surface parts 3 are connected to each other by the transverse struts 4, as can readily be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The transverse struts 4 are each configured in the cross-sectional profile thereof in such a manner that they can be embedded in a flush manner into the transverse grooves 14 provided with the square clear cross section. Fastening means in the form of rivet connections or the like are provided for fixing the transverse struts 4 in the transverse grooves 14 of the opposite holding portions 8 of the plastics surface parts 3. The fastening means are preferably effective in a form-fitting manner. It is also possible to provide screw connections and/or integrally formed latching profilings as fastening means.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 2, the transverse struts 4 are accommodated in a flush manner in the holding portions 8 of the opposite plastics surface parts 3 such that said transverse struts do not protrude inward over an inner surface or inner contour of the holding portions 8. The transverse struts 4 are provided with longitudinal grooves 12 which are open toward the center of the insert ring 1 and in which corresponding holding means 13 of the hooks, eyes or clamping strands of the compartment arrangement 2 are held.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mitered edge surfaces of the plastics surface parts 3, which mitered edge surfaces flank the bending lines 9, form supporting surfaces in the erected functional state of the insert ring 1, in order to support the right-angled orientation of the corners of the insert 1.

The insert ring 1 can be transferred with or without the integrated compartment arrangement 2 into a folded-up rest state according to FIGS. 3 and 4. For this purpose, the folding portions 7 are pivoted upward again through 180° in a simple manner from the inwardly folded-over reinforcing position thereof, as a result of which they are aligned, according to FIG. 7, with the outer surface contours of the respective side wall portion 5. The side wall portions 5 are subsequently pressed inward toward the center about the center bending line 6, 6 a thereof. As soon as a left and a right half of each side wall portion 5, including the folding portions 7, which are divided in two, bear with the outer sides thereof in a planar manner against each other, the folded-up rest position of the insert ring 1 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is reached. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, owing to the supporting backs 11, a clearance remains between the side walls C, D, which are formed at least over part of the width thereof by the transverse struts 4, and the folded-up side wall portions 5, since the holding portions 8 are oriented by 90° relative to the supporting backs 11, and also the side wall portions 5 are supported lying on the inside approximately by 90° to the transverse struts 4 on the supporting backs 11. The bending lines and therefore the associated film hinges are designed flexibly in such a manner that a slightly oblique orientation of the folded-up side wall portions 5 according to FIG. 4 is possible. As a result, the opposite side wall portions 5 can be superimposed with the side walls A, B, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The clearance remaining between the transverse struts 4 and the associated holding portions 8 of the opposite side walls C, D is sufficient in order to receive the flexible compartment arrangement 2 in the folded-up state thereof.

Accordingly, the two side walls C, D are formed by the respective two holding portions 8 of the opposite plastics surface parts 3 and by the six transverse struts 4, which are embedded in the transverse grooves 14 in the two holding portions 8 of the opposite plastics surface parts 5.

Owing to the twinsheet construction of the plastics surface parts 3 and owing to the dimensionally stable transverse struts 4, the insert ring 1 has a high degree of rigidity and stability. A saving on weight is obtained owing to the transverse struts 4 entirely forming the opposite side walls C, D between the opposite holding portions 8 of the plastics surface parts 3. Since the transverse struts 4 are arranged parallel to one another in a common wall plane, but at a distance from one another, it is possible to see into the interior of the insert ring 1 in the region of the side walls C, D through the transverse struts 4.

A pallet box H according to FIGS. 8 to 12 serves to receive at least one insert ring 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 7 in the erected functional position thereof (FIG. 8) or in the folded-up rest position thereof (FIGS. 9 and 12). The pallet box H has standard dimensions which are used in the car industry or in the domestic appliance sector. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the pallet box H is produced from plastic and is provided with at least one foldable side wall. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 8, in the erected functional state, an insert ring 1, including the compartment arrangement 2 thereof, can be inserted from above into the upwardly open pallet box H. The insert ring 1 is matched to the inside dimensions of the pallet box H in such a manner that said insert ring, in the erected functional state, bears at least substantially flush against all four side walls of the cuboidal pallet box H in a manner substantially free from play. Additional fastening means for securing the insert ring 1 in the erected functional state within the pallet box H are thereby avoided.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 9, the insert ring 1 can also be folded up. Said folding-up can take place both within the pallet box H and outside the pallet box H. In the folded-up state, the insert ring is arranged upright in the pallet box H. According to FIGS. 10 and 11, said insert ring can be removed upward in a simple manner. The inherent stability of the insert ring 1 even in the folded rest state permits simple handling by the insert ring 1 either being able to be positioned upright in the pallet box H or being able to be pulled upward out of the pallet box H in a simple manner (FIGS. 10 and 11). In the folded-up functional state, it is possible to accommodate a total of 14 insert rings 1 upright next to one another within the pallet box H. A plurality of insert rings 1 can thus be transported by a pallet box H in the empty folded-up state. No additional fastening means are required for this either. On the contrary, the 14 insert rings 1 are stacked next to one another in such a manner that they fill the internal dimensions of the pallet box H in a substantially fitting manner. 

1. An insert ring for a pallet box, in particular a wire mesh box, with four side walls, wherein at least one side wall has holding means for a flexible compartment arrangement, wherein at least two opposite side walls are designed as plastics surface parts produced in a twinsheet process, and wherein the two remaining side walls are formed at least in sections by dimensionally stable transverse struts which are connected to the plastics surface parts.
 2. The insert ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastics surface parts are provided with bending regions running edgeways, in order to enable the insert ring to be folded up and unfolded.
 3. The insert ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the plastics surface parts is provided with a folding portion which is connected to the plastics surface part by means of a film hinge running transversely.
 4. The insert ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein a bending region running edgeways is configured in such a manner that, when the folding portion is folded downward, bendability of the bending region is blocked.
 5. The insert ring as claimed in claim 2, wherein latching means which can be operated and can be released without a tool are provided, the latching means securing the bending regions in the erected functional position of the insert ring.
 6. The insert ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse struts are embedded in groove-like recesses in wall portions of the plastics surface parts and are fixed by means of fastening elements.
 7. The insert ring as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transverse struts are provided with the holding means for the flexible compartment arrangement.
 8. The insert ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bending regions running edgeways at corner regions of the insert ring each have two bending lines which run spaced apart in parallel and in between bound a supporting back which, in the folded-up state of the insert ring, defines a clearance between corresponding wall portions of the plastics surface parts.
 9. The insert ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bending regions or bending lines are formed by film hinges which are flanked on the inside by mitered edge surfaces of the plastics surface parts, wherein in particular miter angles of 45° are provided.
 10. A pallet box with standard dimensions of a wire mesh box, and with an insert ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insert ring is dimensioned in such a manner that it can be inserted into the pallet box and is arranged upright in a precisely fitting manner in an inner region of the pallet box.
 11. The pallet box as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insert ring is of foldable design and, in the folded-up state, is dimensioned in such a manner that the insert ring is accommodated upright or horizontally in the pallet box.
 12. The pallet box as claimed in claim 10, wherein a plurality of insert rings can be transported in the folded-up state in the pallet box. 